Folding table



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LESTER il. FREEMAN, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING TABLE.

Application tiled March 12, 1923. Serial No. 624,317.

To all 'whom it may cof/wem.'

Be it known that I, LESTER J. FREEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeleain the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a detailed specification.

This invention relates to extension tables, and more particularly to that general type of extension table wherein extension leaves are pivoted to the table top and are adapted to be swung to a position under vthe table top when not in use and swung outwardly to an extending position when in use.

A general object of the invention is the provision of a simple, strong, and sightly table structurelin which the folding leaves are entirely out of the way and out of si ht when not in use, and in which the expan ed table is equally sightly and fully rigid. In fact, it isan object of the invention taprovide a table that can be transformed from what is ordinarily designated as a library or center table into what is ordinarily designated as a'dining table, without having, in either of these forms, any unsightly indication that the table is not one permanently intended to be for the use `to which it may at that time be put. li am aware that many extension tables using hinged leaves have in the patt been proposed and put upon the market; but, so far as I am aware, it has been a very common failing of such tables that they have 'always had the appearance of being very obviously an extension table. On the other hand, my table in its contracted form has no appearance whatever of being an extension table; and in its expanded form has no appearance of being intended for any other use. This accomplishment of my invention is mainly based on the use of a special form of hinge that throws the leaves, `when out of use, a considerable distance back beyond the edge of the table top; and also in the use of certain ornamental members that disguise and hide the contracted table leaves and their supporting means.

All of these objects, and others, and the various corres onding features of accomplishment of t e invention, will be best understood from the following detailed description of a preferred form of structure illustrative of the invention, reference for this purpose being had to the accompanying drawings Jin which Fig. 1 1s a bottom plan view of the table top structure taken as indicated by line 1-1 on Fig. 3 showing the table top expanded;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the table top contracted;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar, but fragmentary View showing the leaves in contracted position;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the table top with the leaves expanded, Fig. 6 being taken in the same aspect as Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlargement of certain parts shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is an enlargement of certain parts shown in section in Fig. 3.

Tt will be understood that the table top structure T am about to describe may be mounted on any suitable kind of supporting posts or legs. In the drawings I show two supporting posts 10 standing on a base 11 and connected with the table top 13 by means of cleats 12 and braces 12a. I show in the drawings a table that is circular` when expanded; and accordinglythe table top 13 has curved ends and straight sides. Along these curved ends there are two ornamental drops 26a flanked on either side by an ornament-al drop block 26, the purposes of which will hereinafter appear. Under the two straight` longitudinal edges of the table top are arranged ornamental drop strips 19 which correspond in size and design to the curved drop strips 26a. These longitudinal drop strips 19 are broken at their centers to leave openings 19" into which the ornamental head blocks 26b of slides 16 normally fit, these head blocks 26h being of the same size and design as blocks 26. Thus, when the table is in its contracted state, we' have an oblong to with vcurved ends, with an ornamental rop strip extending around under the edges of the Itabla top, with spaced ornamental .blocks appearing at intervals in the ornamental stri and there is nothing to indicate that t e blocks 26b are movable.

The table leaves 14, when the table is contracted, lie up underneath the table top as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 4 with their outer edges removed inwardly some considerable distance from the edges of the table top. These leaves, in a round table of the type here described have a straight edge 14 that is adapted to match with the straight longitudinal edge of the table top when the leaves are expanded. The corners 14b of these leavesI` which come closer to the edge of the table top than any other parts of the leaves when contracted, lie immediately behind the ornamental blocks 26 and are thereby hidden and protected. The hinges 15 that carry the table leaves are of a peculiar formation. The stationary member 30 of each hinge is secured to the under side of table top 13 immediately7 behind the or namental strip 19: and the hinge pin 31 is preferably carried at a distance below the under surface of the t-able top and near the under surface of strip 19. The other member of the hinge has the. straight portion 32 that is adapted 'to bear upwardly against the lower surface of strip 19 when the leaves are expanded. the strip 19 thus forming a stop to limit further upward movement of the hinge member and of table leaf 14. At the same time that hinge part 32 bears up against the strip 19, the inner edge 14a of leaf 14 bears tightly against the longitudinal edge of table top 13. Thus the table leaf is rigidly limited in position and there is no looseness allowing the table leaf to be raised above its proper horizontal position. Further than that, if any considerable force should be applied to the edge of the table leaf to raise it, the consequent outward pulling force on hinge member 30 tending to pull it or tilt it outwardly (due to the fact that the edge of the table leaf is then based against the edge of the table. top) is rigidly resisted not only by the strength ot' hinge part. 30 but also by the fact that this hinge part lies directly against the strip 1f whichl is securely afiixed to the table top- Thus the Whole structure is made rigid. even to the extent that the whole table may be lifted bv lifting on the two leaves.

Tt will be -noted that the edge 14 of the table leaf is spaced a substantial distance from hinge pin 3l. the outer hinge member being of considerable length between hinge pin 3l and its part 33 where it is attached to the table leaf. Between the parts 32 and 33 this hinge member has a diagonal p-art 31' as clearly shown in the drawings. which diagonal part reaches upward and outward tothe part 33 that is fastened to the table leaf 14. Due to this construction. the edge 14a of the table leaf. when the leaves are contracted in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, 4lies a considerable distance inwardly from the edge of the table top where it is out of the way and out of sight. Furthermore, the leaf is protected and veiled by strip 19, as are also, completely, the hinges l5 when in this position.

ll'hen the table leaves are extended they are supported by slides 1G and head blocks 26h. as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Slides 16 slide under and transversely of the table top in guides 17. The head blocks 26b not only serve to give the table leaves good support but they also serve to disguise the ends of slides 16 and serve as handles by which the slides may be moved.

When the leaves are in their contracted positions as shown in Fig. 4, they are held (prevented from dropping to vertical positions as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3) by spring catches 20 that catch behind catch plates 21 on the table leaves, as will be readily understood from Figs. 4 and 7. These spring catches operate automatically when the leaves are thrown up to position under the table top; and in order to release these spring catches .l provide a simple pull chain arrangement that is best shown in Fig. 1. Here a chain 24 is shown connected between the two catches, and short chains 25 connect with pin 24 at or near the two catches and are attached at their other ends to the table top. Then a pull chain 22 is connected to about the center of chain 24 and runs out to a point nea-r the table top edge where it is secured. at 23. to the table top. In order to release the catches it is only .necessary to reach under thetable top and pull Ion chain 22. when the leaves will drop to the positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Then the leaves are raised by hand to their horizontal position shown in Fig. 3 and the slides and head bloc-ks 26" drawn out to support the leaves. When Ithe table is in its expanded condition it is not only strong and rigid but is also sightly and entirely devoid of any appearance suggestive of the fact that it is intended to be transformed into a smaller table. The ornamental head blocks 26 a re counterparts of blocks 26; and these head blocks 26b are the only parts that are ordinarily apparent under he leaves when the table is expanded. The blocks 26b hide the slides 1G; and the hinges 15. lying up flatly against the under side of the table top and leaves and flatly against strips 19, are not seen unless the table is viewed from below.

Having described a preferred form of my invention` l claim 1. An extension table embodying a stationary table top` a depend-ing edge Strip around the edge of the table top, a leaf. movable with relation to the table top and havingan edge adapted to register with the table top edge. and hinges for the leaf embodying a hinge member secured to the table top behind the edge strip, and another hinge member, secured to the leaf near its said top meeting edge, said last mentioned hinge member being of' considerable extent between the hinge p-in and its point of attachme t to the leaf and being adapted toextend nder` and around the depending edge strip of the table top.

2. An extension table embodying a stationary tabletop, a depending edge strip around the edge of .the tabletop, a leaf movable With relation to the table top and having an edge adapted to register with the table top edge, and hinges for the leaf embodying a hinge member secured to the table top behind the edge strip, and another hinge member, secured to the leaf near its said. top meeting edge, said last'mentioned hinge member being of considerable extent between the hinge pin and its point of attachment to the leaf and being adapted to extend under and around the depending edge strip of the table top; and the rst mentioned hinge member being bedded against the inner surface of said depending table top edge strip to be braced thereby.

3. An extension table embodying a stationary table top, a depending edge strip around the edge of the table top, a leaf movable with relation to the table top and having. an edge adapted toregister" with the table top edge, and hinges or the leaf embodying a hinge member secured to the table top behind the edge strip, and another hinge member, secured to the leaf near its said vtop meet-ing edge, said last mentioned hinge member being of considerable extent between the hinge pin and its point of attachment to the leaf and being adapted to extend under and around the depending edge strip of the tablle top; means to hold the leaf in substantially horizont-al position under the table top, and the depending table top edge strip includes depending members that hide the end corners of the leaf when. held in position under the table top.

4. An extension table embodying a stationary table top, a depending edge strip around the edge of the table top, a leaf movable with relation to the table top and having an edge adapted to register with the table top edge, and hinges for the leaf embodying a hinge member secured to the table top behind the edge strip, and another hinge member, secured to the leaf near its said top meeting edge, said last mentioned hinge member being of considerable extent extend under and around the depending edge strip of the table top; means to hold the leaf in substantial horizontal position under the table top, and the depending table top edge strip includes depending members that hide the end corners of the leaf when held in position under the table top; and

supporting -means for the leaf Whenin extended position, comprising a transverse slide mounted on the under side of the table top, the depending table top edge strip having an opening through which the slide may be extended, and a head block on the end of the slide serving to engage the finder side of the leaf When the slide is extended and serving to close said opening when the slide is retracted.

5. In an extension table of the character described including two pivoted extension leaves, means to hold the leaves in substantially horizontal position under the table top, comprisingspring catches mounted under the table top and complementary -catch plates on the leaves, and means to release the spring catches comprising a flexible member connected to and extending between ythe spring catches, and another flexible member connected to said first mentioned flexible member at a medial point and extending out to a pointnear the edge of the table top and there secured.

6. In an Iextension table of the character described including two pivoted' extension leaves, means to hold vthe leaves in substantially horizontal position under the table top, comprising spring catches mounted under the table top and complementary. catch plates on the leaves, and means to re ease the spring catches comprising a fiexible member connected to Iand extendingpbet'ween tlie spring catches, and another flexible member connected to said first mentioned flexible member at a medial point and extending out to a point near the edge of the table top and there secured, andshort flexible members attached to the first mentioned flexible member near its points of attachment to the spring catches, and each also attached to the table top.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14 day of February 1923.

LESTER J. FREEMAN. 

